Roast rack



J. C. BROWN May 3, 1960 ROAST RACK 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 4, 1957 INVENTOR F I 62 John Clark Brown BY mm ATTORNEY J. C. BROWN May 3, 1960 ROAST RACK 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 4, 1957 FIGB FIG.4

INVENTOR John Clark Brown WVM ATTORNEY J. C. BROWN May 3, 1960 ROAST RACK 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 4, 1957 FIGB INVENTOR John Clark Brown ATTORNEY .each other, for packaging and storage.

ROAST RACK John @lark Brown, Upper Montclair, Nj. Application December 4, 1957, Serial No. 709,707

11 Claims. (Sl. 99-426) rThis `invention relates to roast racks in the form of a self-contained auxiliary grid structure for supporting a roast on the roasting pan in an oven, whereby the roast is held clear of the droppings in the pan while allowing air to circulate freely around the roast.

Such devices usually include a base structure and apair of roast-receiving cooperative grid members or ,frames mounted adjustably on the base so that roasts of different shapes and sizes may be accommodated.

The roast rack of this invention provides a construction of exceptional simplicity with a minimum of parts, easy to adjust and effectively to manipulate when transferring the roast from the oven to a serving platter, highly compact when collapsed for packaging or storage, alterv natively usable in a special manner as a shallow grid r trivet, highly attractive in appearance both when set up for use and when folded or collapsed for storage, and is adjustable for being used with roasts both very large and very small.

The invention, in one embodiment exemplary thereof, provides a construction having the above criteria, in which a pair of U-shaped frame members are pivotally interconnected in scissors-like fashion so as to be swingable about a common intermediate axis. When set up for use the frame members present a pair of co-operative roast-receiving grill portions above the axis, and two pairs of foot portions provided by the free end portions of the `U-shapes. To form the U-shape, these frame members are bent flatwise from a strip of flat stock, with transverse grid bars fixed to the roast-facing edge portions of the flat stock.

In one form, the one U-shaped frame member is disposed between the side portions of the companion frame vmember so that the frames can be swung into a common plane with the open ends of the U-shapes directed toward A rack-positioning member in the form of a bail is hinged to one of the grid portions and may engage a selected pair of notches, a

plurality of which is provided on the associated foot end portions of the companion frame. By engaging a selected pair of notches, the included angle between the grid portions may be varied widely for accommodating equally well the smallest roast such as a chicken, up to the largest roast such as a turkey.

Features of this invention lie in a special manner in which the positioning bail member is compactly disposed and vsecured between the frame members when they are collapsed into the aforementioned common plane for storage.

Other features lie in a special manner of hingedly Vmounting a pair of handles upon the transverse top end `portions of the respective frames. The handles are pref erably shaped from wire and are positionable so that the -user may lift the rack with the roast from the pan in a convenient and firmly controlled manner, thereupon allowing the roast to slide endwise from the rack onto a serving platter. Alternatively, according to the inven-y tion, these handles may serve as auxiliary legs defining an Aextra shallow position of lthe grid portions to rserve variously as la rgrill or hot plate, as acake cooler, or 'as a Vtrivet. yOther features and adavnta'ges will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the roast rack Vin collapsed condition Vfor packaging and storage or ifor use as a horizontal grid.

Fig. 2is a side view of the roast rack, taken online 2--2 of Fig. 1, illustrating the compactness and showing more Vclearly the folded-away storage position of the parts.

Fig. 3 is an end view Vof the roast rack set upfor use with the hinged bail positioned to provide a minimumincluded angle between the grid portions.

`Fig. 4 is an end view showing the grid maximum included angle.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View taken on line '"5-5 of Fig. 3 of the pivotal connection of the bail with the frame.

Fig. 6 is an end view with the grid portions adjusted to an intermediate included angle.

Fig. 7 is an end view with the grid portions adjusted'to portions with `a `another intermediate included angle.

Fig. 8 is an end view with the grid portions adjusted 'to a maximum included angle.

In the accompanying drawings, a roast rack embodying the features of this invention comprises as main elements a pair of companion frames lll and 11 formed by U-shaped vmembers or structures having their respective sides orshanks interconnected in scissors-like fashion by fmeans of a pair of pivots v12 and 13 defining a common axis A about which the frames are 'swingable relatve'fto of the thickness T, each bent atwise so as to present a lnarrow outer edge portion O and an inner Yor roast-facing `edge portion I. l

Referring to Fig. l, the U-shape of the-frame member 10 has an intermediate transverse body portion 23 .parallel Vto the axis A and a pair of sidev portions or Shanks 24 and 25. Similarly, the companion frame member 11 has a transverse intermediate body portion 26 and `a pair of side portions or Shanks 27 and 28. AccordingtoFig ure 3, theframe 10 comprises a grill portion ZI-above'the axis A and a pair of free end portions or foot end porltions 19 and 20. Similarly,.the frame 11 comprisesfa grill portion 14 above the axis A and a pair of foot :end portions 19 and 20 below the axis A. Referring to Figures 3 to 7 showing the device set` up for use in cooking a roast or the like, the frame 11 'ha's 4pivotally connected to the gn'll portion 14 thereof a posi# tioning member in the form of a bail member 14 engageable selectively in respective .notches or recesses 1S, .16, 17, 18 provided identically uponfeach of the'foot en'd portions 19 and 20 of the companion'frame 10; whereby the included angle or angular relationship between roastreceiving upper end portions 14 and 2-11'of the-'frames yis adjustable.l Adjustable also in this manner is th'evert-ical distance or elevation E of axis A from the "supporting surface S which may be that of a roasting pan. When not in use and when collapsed for IVs'toragefor for packaging, the bail member 14a is disengaged V'from the notches and swung or folded away to a non-interfering position between the frame members 10 and 11 as the latter are swung into a common plane (see Fig. 1i)` with each other, and with a pairjnof handles H1v and H2 prol, IThe roast-receiving portions of the frame comprise each'a series of grill rods 22 parallel to the axis A. The grill rods arel of half-round prole with the flat face thereof joining the roast-facing edge portion IV of the frames and 11.

The shape of the bail member 14B comprises an intermediate transverse body portion 31 parallel to the axis .A and a pair of side portions 32 and 33 each having an inwardly-bent terminal portion 34 and 35, respectively,

whereby the bail member is pivotally connected by way of holes 34a and 35a to the sides of the frame member 11 in the manner clearly illustrated in the plan view of Fig. l and in the detail sectional view of Fig. 5. It will be seen that the bail member 14a is swingable about an axis X parallel to the axis A and spaced therefrom a distance K (see Fig. 6). While operatively adjustable in the various roast-receiving positions illustrated in Figures ,3 to 7 by engaging respective pairs of notches 15 to 118, -the bail member 114a being of a radial length L, can nevertheless be swung away to an inoperative position on frame member 11 with the transverse body portion 31 of the bail member then lodging in a pair of recesses 36 and 37 provided in sides of frame member 11, and such inoperative position of the bail member being indicated at V in dot-and-dash manner in Figure 6.

With the bail member thus swung away, when the device is then collapsed to the condition shown in Fig- `rires. l vand 2, the notched foot end portions of frame member 10 will come to lodge in the spaces 38 and 39 respectively (see Fig. l) between the side portions of the bail member and the associated respective shanks of the framemember 11. It will be noted (see Fig. 6) that the topmostpair of indentations and the axis X of the bail member have the identical distance K (see Fig. 6) from the axis A so that the inward terminal portions 34 and 35 of the bail member will come to lodge in the notches 15 (see Fig. l).

The identical handles H1 and H2 are specially shaped Avand disposed in a manner embodying ceitain features of this invention. These handles being bail-shaped each from a length of wire, are vswingably connected to the respective transverse portions of the frame members 10 and `11 in such a manner that normally with the device set up for use, they will hang as shown in Figures 3 to 7. inwardly the angular movement of the handles is limited by the topmost grill rod 22 acting as an abutment, while the outward swing `is limited by the handle abutting against the inner flat face of the iiat stock of the frame. The angular movement of the handle is thus limited (see Fig. 7) as between an inner abutment as presented by the point or edge B, and an outer point or edge B2, both limit positions being indicated by the positions P1 and P2 of the handle shown in dot-and-dash.

-Each of thehandles H1 and H2 is a formed wire shape .comprising a transverse middle portion 42 and a pair. of side portions 43 and 44 which side portions in turn are formed with terminal eye portions 45 and 46 respectively merging tangentially with the side portions and hung on the transverse portion of the frame through respective holes 47 and 48 therein in such a manner that the handle itself remains interposed at all times between abutments :B1 and B2 insuring its position to be at all times such as to prevent its being swung ,around to a position interferiug ,with a'roast R placed upon the rack. In this embodiment,.desired inner and outer limit positions of the handle are attainable, by having the side portions of the handle bent to form a crook C adapted to engage abutment B2while placing the outer end portion 49' of the handle fin a substantially `horizontal position convenient for: manipulation -by the user. The crook or angular formation C on the other hand, allows the handle to 'engage abutment B1 in a manner whereby the end portion 49 of the handle may lodge entirely within the storage space assigned to it within the U-shape of the frame (see also Figs. l and 2).

The position P1 of the handles is the one which they assume within the space defined by the vframes when the device is collapsed in the manner provided for by this invention and clearly illustrated in Figures l and 2; whereas the position P2 of the handles is the one in which they extend substantially horizontally to be conveniently and firmly grasped by both of the users hands to lift the device together with the roast from the roasting pan. With the handles in that outward limit position the user may retain a iirmly controlled grasp upon the dev1ce while transferring the roast onto a serving platter, allowing the roast to slide down along the grill rods 22 from the roast rack onto the platter.

According to the features of this invention, let it be assumed that the device is taken from the shelf or package in the folded or collapsed condition illustrated in Figures l and 2; in that condition the overall dimensions of the device are substantially those of a flat slab substantially square in plan View with the sides M and N (see Fig. l) and the height G (see Fig. 2).

ln this condition the positioning member or bail mem- Y ber 14a is folded away and conned between the frame members in the manner above described by lodging in the one pair of recesses 36 and 37 in frame member 11, as well as in the other pair of recesses v15 in frame member 1Q. The bail member is secured in this stored position by the recessed extreme ends or tips T1 and T2 of frame member 10 comprising the transverse portion of the bail member in those recesses 35 and 37. The handles H1 and H2 are folded inwardly to assume the storage position clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Although in this fully-collapsed position the device may serve as a level grill or hot plate if desired, it can now be set up for use as a roast rack in various adjusted positions with predetermined variations of the angular relation between the roast-receiving members to suit various sizes of the roast to be cooked. Beginning, for instance, with the position shown in Fig. 4, the bail member engages the lowest pair of notches 18 providing the largest included angle attainable by the use of the positioning member, at the same time reducing the vertical elevations E of axis A to a corresponding minimum. From this position the user may pull up on the handles while pressing them together slightly to cause the bail member to disengage itself from the lowest pair of notches and, overriding subsequent pairs of notches upwardly, he may,

`Figure 4 position by manipulating the handles substantially in the manner above indicated, 0r from the Figure 3 position by the users one hand grasping the right-hand handle, while thumb and forenger of the other hand grasp the left-hand handle allowing the remaining other vfingers of the left hand to grasp and disengage the transverse portion of the bail member to guide or ease it into a selected lower intermediate pair of notches.

According to this invention, the device is further capable of the adjustment illustrated in Fig. 8, whereby ,there is attainable an extremely shallow or obtuse included angle that lies beyond the range provided -for by the row of notches 15, 16,117, 18, so that a very large roast or a largesteak or the like, can be accommodated. According to that feature, the bail member is disengaged from the notches and is allowed to lodge upon the recessed tips T1 and T2 of the free end portions of frame member 10, while the handles H1 and H2 are positioned to serve as supporting members or auxiliary legs braced under an acute angle U against the horizontal supporting surface. When so conditioned, the device may serve also alternatively as a trivet having what amounts substantially to only point 'contacts A1, A2, A3, A4, with the supporting surface or platter or table whereby heat transfer from the trivet or through the trivet to the supporting surface ca be minimized.

Other modes of applying the principles of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided that the features stated in any of the following claims or Vthe equivalent thereof, are employed.

I claim: y

1. A roast rack comprising a pair of companion frame members pivotally interconnected intermediate their ends to be swingable relative to each other about a common axis to an operative roast-receiving position providing a pair of grill portions above said axis and corresponding foot portions below said axis, and means engageable to maintain said operative position and disengageable to allow said frame members to be swung into a common plane, which frame Vmembers are U-shaped structures each formed from a length of flat stock bent ilatwise with the closed ends of the U-shapes constituting the grill portions and the free end portions constituting the foot end portions, said engageable means comprising a bail member having a transverse intermediate portion and a pair of side portions formed with inwardly bent terminal portions in pivotal engagement with the associated sides of one of the grid portions to be swingable about an axis parallel to said common axis and engageable in a selected pair of a series of pairs of recesses formed along the foot end portions of the companion frame, each side of said grill portion having a recess for receiving the transverse Y portion of the bail when the same is swung outwardly to an inoperative position substantially in a plane with s aid grill'portion, therfoot end portions of the companion frame being shaped to clear the transverse portlon as well as the inwardly bent terminal portion of the bail member when the frames are swung into said common plane.

2. The roast rack according to claim 1, in which at least one of said foot end portions is shaped and adapted to confine the transverse portion of the bail member in its respective recess.

3. The roast rack according to claim 1, in which the U-shape of the one frame member is dimensioned to lt between the shank portions ofthe U-shape of the companion frame member, and the foot end portions of the wider frame member are disposed to lodge in the respective spaces between the shank portions of the narrower frame member and the respective side portions of the bail member when the frames are swung into a common plane.

4. A roast rack comprlslng a pair of companion frame members pivotally intermediate their ends to be swingable relative to each other about a common axis to an operative roast-receiving position providing a pair of grill portions above said axis and corresponding foot portions below said axis, means engageableto maintain said operative positions and disengageable to allow said frame members to be swung into a common plane, said frame` limiting the angular movement of the handles to stay clear of the roast, said inner abutment `being disposed` to allow said handles to be positioned and accommodated inoperatively within the space defined by the respective U-shapes and the grill rods, said outer abutment being disposed to allow said handles to be positioned in generaliy laterally outwardly projected position relative to said frame members.

5. The roast rack according to claim 4, in which the inw-ard abutment is provided by the grid rod nearest the handle.

6. The roast rack -according to claim 4, in which the inward abutment is provided by the grid rod nearest to the handle, and the outward abutment is provided lby the inner at face of the at stock.

7. The roast rack according to claim 4, in which the handles are shaped each from a length of wire having a transverse intermediate portion and a pair of side portions each terminating in an eye engaging in a respective hole provided in the hat stock of the frame members.

8. The roast rack according to claim 4, in which the handles are shaped and disposed in such a manner as to serve in their outward limit position as a pair of outwardly diverging auxiliary supporting members when braced against a supporting surface to provide a shallow included angle between the grid portions while said engageable means are disengaged.

9. The roast rack according to claim 4, in which the handles are shaped each from a length'of wire having a transverse intermediate portion and a pair of side portions each terminating in an eye merging tangentially with the side portion, the eyeforming portion of the wire passing through a respective hole in the flat stock of the frame member, each handle having the eye-forming portions disposed to surround the roast-facing edge portion of the frame member, the inner abutment comprising the grid bar nearest the handle, the outer abutment being provided by the inner hat face of the llat stock vbeing engaged by the side portions of the handle.

10. The roast rack according to claim 9, in which each handle 4is formed with -a bend in the side portions thereof with the apex of the bend pointing inwardly.

11. A roast rack comprising a pair of companion frame members pivotally interconnected intermediate their ends to be swingable relative to each other about a common axis to an Voperative roast-receiving position providing a pair of grill portions above said axis and corresponding foot portions below said axis, means engageable to maintain said operative position and disengageable to allow said frame members to be swung into a common plane, and a pair of handles mounted uponV the top ends of respective frame members and positionable for serving as a pair of auxiliary supporting members providing a shallow included angle between the grid portions with said engageable means remaining disengaged said handles being positionable between inner and outer abutments provided on the frame members, said outer abutments defining the operative position of the handles to extend horizontally away from the frame members and also dening the position of the handles when serving as auxiliary supporting members.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS y 222,542 Sterns Dec. 9, 1879 1,039,078 Arnold Sept. 24, 1912 2,212,207 Irwin et al. Aug. 20, 1940 2,214,137 Irwin et al. Sept. 10, 1940 2,272,314 Williams Feb. 10, 1942 2,375,819 Reid -en May 15, 1945 2,502,818 Bocchino Apr. 4, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 340,093 Great Britain Dec. 24, 1930 

